N.Y.C. Admin. Code § FC 606: Section FC 606: Refrigerating Systems

606.1 General.

Refrigerating systems shall be designed, installed, operated and maintained in accordance with this code and the construction codes, including the Mechanical Code, and ASHRAE 15. Refrigerating systems using ammonia refrigerant shall comply with the applicable IIAR standards for system design, installation, operation and maintenance, except as modified by the Mechanical Code.

606.1.1 Supervision.

It shall be unlawful to operate any refrigerating system for which a permit is required and which is a system described in FC Table 606.1.1, unless such operation is under either the personal supervision or general supervision, as set forth in FC Table 606.1.1, of a person who has obtained a certificate of qualification for refrigerating system operating engineer. For purposes of this section, personal supervision shall mean that such person is present in the building at all times while the system is in operation and that the operation of such system is under his or her personal direction and control, and general supervision shall mean that such person is responsible at all times for the safe operation of such system when such system is in operation and that such system is operated under his or her general direction and control. Persons providing general or personal supervision as required by this section shall register their work location with the department.

606.1.2 Operator inspection after repairs.

After any repairs are made to a refrigerating system the operation of which requires supervision by a certificate of qualification holder, the certificate of qualification holder shall check the repairs, together with the functioning of all control devices and the positioning of all valves. Such certificate of qualification holder shall also be present when the system is restarted after repairs.

606.1.3 Operator logbook.

A logbook or other form of approved recordkeeping shall be maintained for all refrigerating systems whose operation requires either personal or general supervision by a certificate of qualification holder. For systems requiring personal supervision the logbook shall, at a minimum, contain an entry for each shift the system is in operation. For systems requiring general supervision the logbook shall, at a minimum, contain an entry for each day during which the system is in operation.

606.1.3.1 Logbook entries.

The logbook shall provide information relevant to the operation of the system, including any operating problems or deficiencies and required periodic tests. The signature of the certificate of qualification holder shall appear next to each entry.

606.2 Refrigerants.

The use and purity of new, recovered, and reclaimed refrigerants shall be in accordance with the construction codes, including the Mechanical Code.

606.3 Refrigerant classification.

Refrigerants shall be classified in accordance with the construction codes, including the Mechanical Code.

606.4 Change in refrigerant type.

Any change in the type of refrigerant in a refrigerating system shall be made in accordance with the construction codes, including the Mechanical Code.

606.5 Access.

Refrigerating systems having a refrigerant circuit containing more than 200 pounds (91 kg) of Group A1 or 30 pounds (14 kg) of any other group refrigerant shall be accessible to the department at all times as required by the commissioner. Refrigerating systems requiring a permit shall be accessible at all times, and shall, where practicable, be made accessible for department inspection without the use of portable ladders or other portable equipment.

606.6 Testing of equipment.

Refrigerating equipment and systems having a refrigerant circuit containing more than 200 pounds (91 kg) of Group A1 or 30 pounds (14 kg) of any other group refrigerant shall be subject to periodic testing in accordance with FC 606.6.1. Tests of emergency devices or systems required by this chapter shall be conducted by a person holding a certificate of qualification.

606.6.1 Periodic testing.

The following emergency devices or systems shall be tested at least monthly in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

1. Treatment and flaring systems.

2. Valves and appurtenances necessary to the operation of emergency refrigerating system control boxes.

3. Fans and associated equipment intended to operate emergency ventilation systems.

4. Detection and alarm systems.

FC Table 606.1.1 Refrigerating System Operating Engineer

Installation Date

Refrigerant Group or Name

a

Occupancy Type

b

Application

Pounds of Refrigerant in System

System Horsepower

System Design

c

Supervision Required

Prior to June 1, 1957

A1

Industrial

Human comfort

More than 50

NA

Not fully automatic

Personal

A1

Industrial

Human comfort

More than 200

NA

Fully automatic

Personal

A1

Industrial

Human comfort

More than 50 up to 200

NA

Fully automatic

General

A1

All except Industrial

All

More than 50

NA

Not fully automatic

Personal

A1

All except Industrial

All

More than 200

NA

Fully automatic

Personal

A1

All except Industrial

All

More than 50 up to 200

NA

Fully automatic

General

On or after June 1, 1957

A1

Industrial

Human comfort

NA

More than 50 (or kilowatt equivalency)

NA

Personal

A1

All except Industrial

All

NA

More than 50 (or kilowatt equivalency)

NA

Personal

Regardless of when installed

A2, A3, B1, B2, B3 and carbon dioxide

All

All

More than 50

NA

Not fully automatic

Personal

A2, A3, B1, B2, B3 and carbon dioxide

All

All

More than 200

NA

Fully automatic

Personal

A1

Industrial

All except human comfort

More than 50

NA

Not fully automatic

Personal

A1

Industrial

All except human comfort

More than 200

NA

Fully automatic

Personal

A1 and carbon dioxide

Industrial

All except human comfort

More than 50 up to 200

NA

Fully automatic

General

A1

All

Human comfort

NA

Aggregate exceeds 100

d

NA

Personal

a. For purposes of this table, refrigerant R-123 shall be treated as a group A1 refrigerant, and carbon dioxide shall not be treated as a group A1 refrigerant.

b. For purposes of this table, "industrial" occupancy refers to occupancy groups F, H and S. For installations constructed under the 1968 Building Code, "industrial" occupancy refers to occupancy groups A, B and D. For installations constructed prior to such 1968 code, "industrial" occupancy refers to that portion of a building used for manufacturing, processing, or storage of materials or products, including, among others, chemical, food, candy, and ice cream factories, ice making plants, meat packing plants, refineries, perishable food warehouses, and similar occupancies.

c. A fully automatic refrigerating system is one whose regulating and safety devices are automatically activated once the system is in operation.

d. This aggregate provision applies only to systems within a single building which are under the sole direct control of a single occupant, lessee or owner. Systems with a rating of 15 horsepower or less or the kilowatt equivalency thereof are excluded from the aggregate.

606.7 Emergency signs.

Emergency signs shall be provided in accordance with the construction codes, including the Mechanical Code.

606.8 Refrigerant detector.

Machinery rooms shall contain a refrigerant detector with an audible and visual alarm as required by the construction codes, including the Mechanical Code for the refrigerant classification.

606.9 Remote controls.

Remote control of the mechanical equipment and appliances located in the machinery room and the emergency ventilation system shall be provided in accordance with the construction codes, including the Mechanical Code.

606.10 Storage, handling and use.

Flammable liquids, combustible liquids, combustible materials and combustible waste, except for quantities of combustible liquids below permit amounts, spare parts, tools, and incidental materials necessary for the safe and proper operation and maintenance of the system, shall not be stored in machinery rooms for refrigerating systems. Storage, use or handling of extra refrigerant or refrigerant oils shall be as required by FC Chapters 50, 53, 55 and 57 and the Mechanical Code.

606.11 Discharge and termination of pressure relief devices.

Pressure relief devices, fusible plugs and purge systems for refrigerating systems containing flammable, toxic or highly toxic refrigerants or ammonia shall comply with FC 606.11.1 through 606.11.3. Discharge piping and devices connected to the discharge side of a fusible plug or rupture member shall have provisions to prevent plugging the pipe in the event of the fusible plug or rupture member functions. Discharge from systems containing Group A3 or B3 refrigerants shall be approved by the department and the Department of Buildings.

606.11.1 Flammable refrigerants.

Systems containing more than 6.6 pounds (3 kg) of flammable refrigerants having a density equal to or greater than the density of air shall discharge vapor to the atmosphere only through an approved treatment system in accordance with FC 606.11.4 or a flaring system in accordance with FC 606.11.5. Systems containing more than 6.6 pounds (3 kg) of flammable refrigerants having a density less than the density of air shall be allowed to discharge vapor to the atmosphere provided that the point of discharge is located outdoors and not less than 15 feet (4572 mm) above the adjoining grade level and not less than 20 feet (6096 mm) from any window, ventilation opening or exit.

606.11.2 Toxic and highly toxic refrigerants.

Systems containing more than 6.6 pounds (3 kg) of toxic or highly toxic refrigerants shall discharge vapor to the atmosphere in accordance with FC 606.11.4 or a flaring system in accordance with FC 606.11.5.

606.11.3 Ammonia refrigerant.

Systems containing more than 6.6 pounds (3 kg) of ammonia refrigerant shall discharge vapor to the atmosphere in accordance with one of the following methods:

1. Through an approved treatment system in accordance with FC 606.11.4;

2. Through a flaring system in accordance with FC 606.11.5;

3. Through an approved ammonia diffusion system in accordance with FC 606.11.6;

4. Directly to the atmosphere, when the commissioner determines, on review of an engineering analysis prepared in accordance with FC 104.7.2, that a fire, health or environmental hazard would not result from the atmospheric discharge of ammonia; or

5. By other approved means.

Exception: Ammonia/water absorption systems containing less than 22 pounds (10 kg) of ammonia and for which the ammonia circuit is located entirely outdoors.

606.11.4 Treatment systems.

Treatment systems shall be designed to reduce the allowable discharge concentration of the refrigerant gas to not more than 50 percent of the IDLH at the point of exhaust. Treatment systems shall be in accordance with FC Chapter 60.

606.11.5 Flaring systems.

Flaring systems for incineration of flammable refrigerants shall be designed to incinerate the entire discharge. The products of refrigerant incineration shall not pose health or environmental hazards. Incineration shall be automatic upon initiation of discharge, shall be designed to prevent blowback, and shall not expose structures or materials to threat of fire. Emergency power shall have the capacity to operate for one and one-half the required time for complete incineration of refrigerant in the system.

606.11.6 Ammonia diffusion systems.

Ammonia diffusion systems shall include a tank containing 1 gallon of water for each pound of ammonia (8.3 L of water for each 1 kg of ammonia) that will be released in 1 hour from the largest relief device connected to the discharge pipe. The water shall be prevented from freezing. The discharge pipe from the pressure relief device shall distribute ammonia in the bottom of the tank, but no lower than 33 feet (10 058 mm) below the maximum liquid level. The tank shall contain the volume of water and ammonia without overflowing.

606.12 Discharge location for refrigerating system machinery room ventilation.

Exhaust from mechanical ventilation systems serving refrigerating machinery rooms capable of exceeding 25 percent of the LFL or 50 percent of the IDLH shall be equipped with approved treatment systems to reduce the discharge concentrations of flammable, toxic or highly toxic refrigerants to those values or lower.

606.13 Notification of refrigerant discharges.

The commissioner shall be notified immediately when a discharge becomes reportable under state, federal or local regulations in accordance with FC 5003.3.1.

606.14 Records.

A written record shall be kept of refrigerant quantities brought into and removed from the premises.

606.15 Electrical equipment.

Where refrigerants of Groups A2, A3, B2 and B3, as defined in the Mechanical Code, are used, refrigerating system machinery rooms shall conform to the Class I, Division 2 hazardous location classification requirements of the Electrical Code.

Exception: Ammonia machinery rooms that are provided with ventilation in accordance with Chapter 11 of the Mechanical Code.

606.16 Use of Group A3 and B3 refrigerants.

Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to authorize the use of Group A3 or B3 refrigerants, as classified in the Mechanical Code, if otherwise prohibited by the construction codes, including the Mechanical Code.